I know it's been awhile since my last post, but here are some things I've found during my travels around the Internet. Merry Christmas, everyone! If you're really good, I'll try to post again before January 1st, 2014 :) If you're naughty, then just assume I'm wishing you a Happy New Year and all good things...1. Merry Christmas

For the record, I determined the video was fake the first time I saw it. My new philosophy about things on the Internet is that everything is fake until proven real. Come to think of it, that's pretty much my philosophy for life in general. My main question as far as the twerking girl on fire video goes is, "WHERE DID THE FRIEND GO?!" If I'm on fire and my friend shows up in the middle of me BEING ON FIRE, she damn well better put me out and not just run out of frame, never to be seen again!

8. Finally... my favorite tweets of the week:

IMPORTANT UPDATE:
The businessman next to me is 99.9% sure that Kevin will be on board with this revised budget.
— pete lee (@peteleetweets) September 12, 2013

Monday, July 15, 2013

1. This is one of those videos I watched/listened to with my mouth wide open because I was in awe:

2. A photo of an elephant meeting a sea lion at the Oregon Zoo made my day today. Maybe it will make yours a little better, too:

3. Here is a tip that I thought everyone already knew regarding rainstorms and laptops. If you are living/working in NYC and not doing this already, get your act together. Hint: the photo is not the tip. This is.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

One of my favorite things to do is share things that make me laugh until I cry. I recently began following a YouTube video series that meets this criteria. It is billed as "Actual conversations with my 2-year old daughter, as re-enacted by me and another full grown man."

This is the episode that made me laugh (and cry) the hardest:

My second favorite episode is called "The Pants."

You can watch all of the episodes here (and since there are only 6 episodes, there's no excuse not to watch them all!)

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Last night was one of those "full circle" nights. Allow me to explain...

I have loved music since before I can even remember. This is not an exaggeration. I can, however, tell you that one of my first embedded musical memories involves Starship. Not Jefferson Starship... Starship.

My family and I were visiting our friends in New Jersey -- the Nolans. We loved this family. Still do. We don't get to see them nearly enough, but the love is still there. So, we were visiting, and I can remember being in my friend Colleen's room when she put a Starship record on and started playing "We Built This City." I can remember thinking, "Wait a minute now, what's all of this?!" It's important to remember that it was probably 1985 and I was 7 years old. This was literally the coolest thing I could have heard. And it was. I can remember dancing around like a fool. A FOOL.

When I saw Starship last night in Hamden, history repeated itself. After a full concert, Jenn and I were heading out because it had started to rain, but we were both hoping to hear the iconic song, so we walked really slowly back to the car. At the last possible moment, I heard the familiar wail from the stage: "WE BUILT THIS CITY!" I screamed, "YES!!!!!!" and ran back toward the stage to take a short video (after dancing around with my lawn chair in my arms.) Twenty-eight years later... different venue... different good friend... SAME DANCE.

Full circle night.

I recorded what I could after my dance (and before it started to pour):

I should address that I am aware of what most people think of this song. Here are two stats:

In 2011 a Rolling Stone magazine online poll named "We Built This City" as the worst song of the 1980s. The song's winning margin was so large that the magazine reported it "could be the biggest blow-out victory in the history of the Rolling Stone Readers Poll".The defunct magazine Blender's ranking of the song as the worst song ever was in conjunction with a VH1 Special of The 50 Most Awesomely Bad Songs...Ever.In order to qualify for the distinction, the songs on the list had to be a popular hit at some point, thus disqualifying many songs that would by consensus be considered much worse.
It doesn't matter. This song, for some reason, changed things for me. And I remember that moment. I remember that dance. And I am an avid music lover with a vast music collection. So, I promise that you can like "We Built This City" and still be well-versed in music. I am happy to show my iTunes library (and my dance) to anyone who disagrees.

Here is a bonus video of Nothing's Gonna Stop Us, which also holds great memories for me:

Definitely impressed and pleasantly surprised with last night's concert. My familiar refrain is always, "They don't make music like that anymore." But at least the ones who made the music to begin with are still putting it out there.

Jenn, thank you for standing in the rain with me.

Colleen, thank you for being one of the catalysts in my lifelong love affair with music.

Starship, as long as you promise you won't retire the music, I promise I won't retire the dance.

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Yes, I am in the midst of a job search. Yes, I have been applying to jobs all day (on a Saturday, on a holiday weekend.) I cannot, however, let another second go by without posting these videos.

I had the pleasure of sailing on Old Ironsides this Fourth of July and then watching Boston's spectacular fireworks display after enjoying the Boston Pops on the Esplanade. I felt like I was watching the world's best fireworks display while hanging out with friends in my backyard.

2013 is the first year in more than two decades that the Boston fireworks did not air on TV because CBS didn't renew the contract. People need to see these. They were spectacular. The music was perfect, the timing was impeccable, there were more than a few tears being wiped away in the city that night.

I've watched this video three times since Independence Day. It "pauses" twice in the middle, but the feed comes back quickly, so just enjoy :)

Without a doubt, the most incredible part of the night was before the fireworks when Officer Dic Donohue walked up onto the stage to conduct the Pops as they played I'm Shipping Up To Boston. Holding his crutches by his sides, he waved the baton and Boston's unofficial anthem filled the air. He had tears in his eyes and a big smile on his face. Officer Donohue was wounded as a first responder during the Boston bombings and subsequent gunfight. He is an American hero, through and through.

I will never forget watching half a million people jump to their feet to cheer this man on. Everyone near me was sitting before Officer Donohue took the stage. The minute he was announced, EVERYONE jumped up. We sang, we cheered, we danced. We celebrated the moment.

What a moment. What a night. What a city. What a country.

Here is a video I took of the 21-gun salute on Old Ironsides:

Even cooler, here is a video I took of the 17-gun salute for the Coast Guard, taken from below deck on Old Ironsides. I was just trying to stay out of the sun when I found myself in the middle of the action! My favorite part? It's two girls loading the cannon! You go, girls!!!

I like their concentration and teamwork. I like how they are in it together. I like how they celebrate a job well done at the end.

Over the past couple of days, I've been reminded over and over again that sometimes it's enough to rejoice even in the smallest of victories. With that in mind, I leave you with this quote from Firefly:

Simon: "You have the Alliance on you; criminals and savages. Half the people on this ship have been shot or wounded, including yourself... and you're harboring known fugitives."
Mal: "We're still flying."
Simon: "That's not much."
Mal: "It's enough."

Against all odds, we're still flying. All of us. And... for now... it's enough. It's enough for Old Ironsides. It's enough for the Pops. It's enough for Officer Dic Donohue, and for his wife, and for his family. It's enough for the people of Boston. And, it's enough for me. If we're still flying, the story isn't over. There's still time to change the plot and the arc of our stories.

As always, here's to new beginnings. Here's to having another chance to get it right.

Friday, June 21, 2013

I remember reading a guy's profile on a dating site awhile back and he wrote, "I do not like sitcoms." This was years ago. It still bothers me. How is this even possible? Did this man not grow up watching The Cosby Show and The Jeffersons and then transition into Friends and Seinfeld and gradually come to appreciate Community and Arrested Development?

Maybe I'll start using this blog to expose the ridiculous things people say on dating sites. I won't name names. That would be cruel. But, I feel as if the general public deserves to know that there are people out there who HATE LAUGHTER.

My gut reaction to that guy's profile was to BLOCK him... that's how strongly I feel about laughing in general. Even (especially) when the chips are down, what is more important than humor? Water? Maybe. But I know I can't live without laughter. It's just about the only constant in my life at this point. Love has come and gone, but laughter remains.

The day I stop laughing is the day I know I've truly given up. If I ever write, "I do not like sitcoms" on my dating profile, just ship me off to Siberia, because I'm done.

It's tough to explain the magic of the Harry Potter books and movies to someone who hasn't experienced them. Scratch that -- it's impossible. My best friend had been trying to get me to read the books since 2005. My response was always, "I'm a grown woman. I am not reading a book about wizards."
Well, I read the first one, and then I read the next one, and less than a month later, I had read all seven books and watched all eight movies.
I read obsessively. I have read more books in the past year than most people read in a lifetime. I majored in English, so for four years, it was practically my job to read obsessively. These books were easily the best reading experience of my life.
Here are some bloopers from the movies. They show some of the magic, but not nearly all of it...

Thursday, June 20, 2013

1. I remember writing once that Woody Allen made me nervous, and that I loved that about him. That's how I feel about Erik Charles Nielsen. I can't help but laugh! I legitimately laughed out loud three times while watching this. I love this guy! From one English major to another... bravo, buddy!

Monday, June 17, 2013

Listening to a 1975 Kansas City, KS Springsteen show, I am reminded why I will always listen to bootlegs. Without them, I would never get to hear Springsteen say gems like this:
"Hands over your hearts. You gotta pledge allegiance to a song like this, you know. You just don't play this song. You pledge yourself to it." - Bruce, re: Gary US Bonds's Quarter To Three

Incidentally, I had the pleasure of seeing Bruce perform with Gary US Bonds last year in New Jersey. Still the same intensity. Still the same love for the music... 38 years later. Let's see where Justin Bieber is in 38 years...

Sunday, June 9, 2013

... because everyone LOVES lists!1. These guys are still cooler than you will ever be. The famous photo was taken on September 20th, 1932, during the construction of the RCA Building (now the GE Building) in Rockefeller Center. The workers, without safety harnesses, are 69 floors (840 feet) above the street.

15 minutes later...

Credit: BuzzFeed

2. You should take this quiz to see if you can tell the difference between Jennifer Aniston's hair and Brad Pitt's hair. I only got 4 out of 10 right, and Jennifer Aniston is my hair idol.

3. I feel like this article was meant for a very select audience. I don't know anyone with a pet turtle, and if I did, I'm not sure how many of them would be willing to crochet an outfit for said turtle. However, if you're going to crochet an outfit for a turtle, Bowser is the correct choice.

4.I got 5 out of 11 right! And, as I suspected (and tweeted about months ago), I do not recognize Maroon 5 without Adam Levine.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

I'm moving this back to the top of the blog with an addendum...Part 1:Originally posted 6/2/12:

I have watched this at least 10 times today. It will seem REALLY weird at first, but it touched me very deeply, and I know very few people who have the ability to touch people like this in such a short period of time... and without words. Simply brilliant.

Part 2 (Addendum):

When people ask me why I watch this show, first I blame Molly Carta (because it is all her fault!)... and then I show them the video above. And now I will show them this, because it is, by far, the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. If you need me to explain it to you, I'd be happy to, but something tells me that if you don't see the beauty intrinsically, an explanation won't do it justice.

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Some warnings:Do not watch this if you are easily moved to tears.Do not watch this if you have recently lost a parent.Do not watch this if you HAVE a parent.Do not watch this if you are easily moved by a human voice, set to music.Basically, do not watch this if you still have a heart beating in your chest. Because you are going to cry.You've been warned.

Saturday, April 27, 2013

I happened to be listening to It Must Have Been Love by Roxette when I stumbled across this GIF, and I couldn't look away! Then, Alice In Chains's Angry Chair came on (because that's how my iTunes rolls) and Spiderman dances perfectly to that beat, too!!

.: (from Imgur)For an extra special bonus, consider watching Spiderman dance to The Boy Is Mine by Brandy & Monica. He does not disappoint.Sometimes you just have to bow down before the Internet. This is one of those times.(Song suggestion addendum: Amish Paradise by Weird Al. You're welcome.)

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Being the HUGE Community / Christmas Vacation fan that I am, I'm sure I wasn't the first to notice the similarities in these two scenes, but it made my day when, during the Community commentary for S02E13 Celebrity Pharmacology, Chevy says, "I'm surprised I didn't fall through the roof."

Say what you want about Chevy Chase, but he's Chevy Chase... and you're not.

My favorite parts of this song:1. Lindsey Buckingham's position on the stage, right behind Stevie.2. The entire audience singing along.3. Standing next to my baby sister on her 30th birthday weekend as Stevie sings, "But time makes you bolder, children get older, and I'm getting older, too."4. Lindsey kissing Stevie's hand as he walks away...These are the moments that stay with you :)

This is not from last night's concert (my phone ran out of room before the last song) but this is how Fleetwood Mac ended last night's concert. Absolute perfection. I adore these two. Lindsey wrote this song for Stevie about 10 years ago, long after their romance had "ended." Such history...

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Last night, I told my mom that I had just gotten a breaking news alert that they apprehended the Boston Marathon bomber alive. She asked me where I saw that and I told her it's all over Facebook. So a minute or two goes by and I look over at her looking at her phone...

Me: "Mom, what are you doing?"

Mom: "I'm trying to find information about Boston but all I see is this stupid dog."

Thursday, April 18, 2013

"If you can't explain it to a six year old, you don't understand it yourself." - Albert Einstein

In the wake of this week's tragedy in Boston, one of my main questions was, "How are people going to talk to their kids about this?" I have asked several parents, and I still don't know the answer. So, now I'm convinced that, even with all the words and ideas that we have collected over the years, all of them fall short, because the truth of the matter is... we might as well all be six years old. We don't understand it ourselves.

We understand the outpouring of love and affection and we understand the solidarity that we feel with one of America's greatest cities. That's easy. That's what we DO. What we can't see is how someone can have so much hatred in their heart against people that they don't even know... people they have never met... people who are innocently cheering on their heroes on a beautiful day in a gorgeous city.

That's the big mystery. The thing that keeps me up at night. The unanswerable question. There's just no rhyme or reason to what happened. None. So, instead, we find ourselves looking for answers in the response. We comfort ourselves by watching people run INTO danger instead of away from it. We think to ourselves, "People are still good. They have to be. This is proof."

This image alone is enough to remind me that we take care of each other no matter what. We carry each other. When people try to take us down, we lift each other up.

I've probably quoted this Springsteen lyric here before -- but here it is again, and this time it's for Boston's first responders, professional and civilian:

"Your strength is devastating in the face of all these odds..."

That's what it is, after all. It's devastating. It's hard to watch footage of that day without a lump in your throat or a flutter in your chest. You watch and wonder, "Would I have that kind of strength? Would I run into the unknown to save someone I've never met?"

I became a certified Red Cross Disaster Action Team member last weekend, two days before the tragic events of April 15th, because I knew a long time ago that I wanted to be a part of the solution. I feel greatly blessed that I currently have the time to devote to a cause much greater than myself, but I still don't know the answer to: "Would I have that kind of strength?" I think we all like to believe we would, but seeing that kind of heroism in action is humbling, to say the very least.

Although many things have changed since Albert Einstein gave us these words of wisdom, wisdom itself never changes. It evolves. It strengthens. It gets passed on as we cling to the hope that we can somehow make things better.

Still, until we can find the words and the ideas to wrap our heads around the events of April 15th, we're all six years old, patiently waiting for someone to explain the world to us.

Saturday, March 30, 2013

I had a Michael Jackson marathon this morning. Speaking of Remember The Time... Remember the time we all sat in front of the TV waiting for the music video premiere for this song? I do. Those were the days.

It makes me sad that kids today will never know the joy of watching one of these premieres.

- The old wives' tale among comics is, "If I stop being crazy I'll stop being funny," but the truth is if you stop being honest you'll stop being funny."

- ... what I love is when the show doesn’t presume any factual positions on things that have any binary truth to them. “Is there any such thing as true love?” The question is the important thing. There’s no answer.

- As humans, reality for us is largely based on other people's perceptions. If there's 20 bodies in your crawl space but you haven't been caught yet, you tell yourself you're still a birthday clown, and that's how you keep doing it.

- * There are several important things you need to do [to become a writer]. First, you need a round hole in your chest that goes all the way through you. I can never stress enough to the kids, it has to be a perfect circle, about the diameter of a drinking glass rim, it has to be in the absolute center of your chest – like where a heart would go on a plumber or a woman – and it has to go clean through you. If you’re standing in front of me and I can’t see the wall behind you, you’re never really going to write much more than a dream journal, recipe book, or maybe one of those manuals that tells people what writing is.

* (This is, hands down, one of the best "how do I know if I'm a writer" observations I've ever seen.)

- Community wasn’t “created,” it was developed, like all good TV. It always starts with a writer but that writer isn’t doing his job if he thinks the job is to make a TV show.